Ukrainian forces downed a Russian reconnaissance drone in mid-air by ramming it

Ukrainian forces downed a Russian reconnaissance drone in mid-flight but did so in a rather unique way. They used a first-person view drone according to reports and video footage. 

The Come Back Alive Foundation published video footage of a Russian Orlan-10 drone being downed by a Ukrainian first-person view drone donated to Ukraine's Defense Forces by the foundation. 

Footage showed what the Come Back Alive Foundation said was a drone donated as a part of its Dronefall project spotted and then rammed the Orlan-10 while it was in flight. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

The video released shows the incident from the perspective of the Ukrainian drone and it begins with the Ukrainian drone approaching the Russian Orlan-10 from above.

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

The Ukrainian drone quickly moves to smash into the Orlan-10 and appears to run into its rear stabilizers before the video cuts out. It is unclear if the Orlan-10 was destroyed. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

The Ukrainian military news website Militarnyi noted the Telegram channel WarArchive determined the incident occurred somewhere over the embattled region of Chasiv Yar. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

Militarnyi also reported that the Come Back Alive Foundation’s Dronefall project began on August 7th, and it aimed to shoot down 1,000 Russian reconnaissance drones using modernized first-person view interceptor drones. 

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

The 38th Marine Brigade was one of the first Ukrainian units to receive the first batch of interceptor first-person view drones from the foundation and has already shot down at least 9 Russian reconnaissance drones.

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

“The project involves not only the purchase of modernized FPV kamikazes, but also the creation and provision of teams that will use them,” Militarnyi reporters. “In particular, it involves the transfer of pickup trucks, communications, power, and night optics.”

Photo Credit: Telegram @savelifeua

Downing of Russian drones on the battlefield has become quite common according to the military news outlet because of the low speeds at which Russian drones operate versus the higher speeds of Ukraine’s modern first-person view drones.  

Photo Credit: TikTok @prizrak_fpv

In July 2024, video footage was released by TikTok user Prizrak_seti that showed a Russian Supercam S350 reconnaissance drone being downed by a Ukrainian drone somewhere in the Kherson region after it was rammed in midair according to Militarnyi. 

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Photo Credit: TikTok @prizrak_fpv